SEPUTAR OTOMOTIF

Selasa, 16 Oktober 2012

The Mazda RX-8 is a four-seat sports car, and the latest in a long line of rotary-engine sports cars from the Japanese automaker. In addition to its unusual engine design, the RX-8 follows a unique quad-coupe body style, with two small rear-hinged half doors allowing better access to the rear seating positions than a standard two-door coupe would allow.

The RX-8 was introduced for the 2004 model year, after its predecessor, the RX-7 had been absent from the U.S. market for most of a decade. While the RX-7 in its later years had become a heavier—more bloated, some might say—grand tourer, laden with tech features, the RX-8 took the light, nimble feel of the Miata and was, from the start, more affordable. The RX-8 design was absolutely like no other, and blended form and function in better fashion than most other sports cars of its time; the two rear-hinged suicide-style doors allow improved access to the two back seats, though they're still quite tight, and the trunk is just large enough for weekend trips.

In front—which is where you want to be—you sit low to the road, though slightly more upright than other sports coupes, with a small-diameter steering wheel and close cockpit-style gauges. The 232-horsepower, 1.3-liter twin-rotary engine doesn't make much torque, and to access the bulk of it you have to keep the engine revving. Thank goodness, it's extremely rev-happy and satisfying to exercise to its upper ranges. Peak power is made at 9,000 rpm, and the engine gets a motorcycle-like wail it's up there. The six-speed manual gearbox is the only way to go, as automatic models get a reduced redline and lower power ratings. Steering has a quick ratio and managed a good feel of the road.

In 2009, the RX-8 received some structural improvements, as well as a reconfigured suspension geometry, which resulted in even more confident handling while reducing interior noise and vibration. With these newer models especially, the RX-8 is actually a lot more civil than you'd expect. It rides reasonably well and provided you have the engine in one of its relaxed upper gears both engine and road noise are quite muted. It's also not twitchy in the way that you might think a light, low, rather short sports car to be. Most notably, Mazda bolstered the rotary engine with some significant seal and gasket improvements that should extend engine life and reduce oil consumption—always a rotary weakness.

Also for 2009, Mazda rolled out a top-of-the-line R3 package, which includes a sport-tuned suspension, Bilstein shocks, and high-performance tires on 19-inch smoky forged-alloy wheels, plus foam-filled front-suspension crossmembers. Wheels were also upsized. Most RX-8 models include electronic stability control, but even for some recent model years, it was not included on the base Sport. Grand Touring models fit those who want all the interior comforts, such as automatic climate control, upgraded audio, Bluetooth, and keyless start, plus HID headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.

One of the most significant drawbacks of the RX-8 is its thirst for premium. Its EPA city rating is just 16 mpg, but if you drive the RX-8 in a spirited way you're likely to see significantly lower.

The RX-8 is expected to be discontinued after the 2012 model year, with no direct replacement in sight.

1968 — introduction

Peugeot's flagship, the 504 made its public debut on 12 September 1968 at the Paris Salon. The press launch which had been scheduled for June 1968 was at the last minute deferred by three months, and production got off to a similarly delayed start because of the political and industrial disruption which exploded across France in May 1968.[3]

The 504 was European Car of the Year in 1969, praised for its styling, quality, chassis, ride, visibility, strong engine and refinement.

The 504 Injection two-door coupé and two-door cabriolet were introduced at the Salon de Geneva in March 1969.[4] The engine produced the same 97 bhp (72 kW; 98 PS) of output as in the fuel-injected saloon, but the final drive ratio was slightly revised to give a slightly higher road speed of 20.6 mph (33.2 km/h) at 1,000 rpm.[4]

In September 1970 an estate was added, featuring a higher rear roof and solid rear axle with four coil springs. It was joined by the 7-seat "Familiale", which had all its occupants facing forward in three rows of seats.

In April 1973, Peugeot presented the 504 L due to the oil crisis. It featured a live rear axle and a smaller 1,796 cc engine rated at 96 bhp (81 bhp for Automatic).

At the Paris Motor Show of October 1976 the option of an enlarged diesel engine was introduced. The stroke of 83 mm (3.3 in) remained the same as that of the existing 1,948 cc diesel motor, but for the larger engine the bore was increased to 94 mm (3.7 in), giving an overall 2,112 cc along with an increase in claimed power output from 59 bhp (44 kW; 60 PS) to 70 bhp.[5] This diesel engine would also find its way into the Ford Granada since Ford did not at the time produce a sufficient volume of diesel sedans in this class to justify the development of their own diesel engine.

Peugeot 504 production in Europe was pruned back in 1979 with the launch of the Peugeot 505, and the last European example rolled off the production line in 1983, although the pick up version continued in production, and was available in Europe until 1993. Chineseproduction of the 504 pickup (more information below) only ceased in 2009. The 505 shared most of the Peugeot 504 mechanical parts, similarly to the Peugeot 604 and Talbot Tagora.[citation needed]

More than three million 504s were produced in Europe, ending in 1983. Manufacturing continued in Nigeria and Kenya until 2006, utilising the Peugeot knock down kits. Kenya production was 27,000 units. Egypt also had its own production facilities.

Redesigned Argentinian version of the 504

The car was assembled in various countries, under license of Peugeot. In Australia it was assembled by Peugeot's arch-rival Renault, and sold through Renault Australia's dealer network.

The Peugeot 504 is also one of the most common vehicles employed as a bush taxi inAfrica. In China, the 504 was produced until 2009 in pickup form, with a four-door crew cab combination fitted, on an extended estate platform. These were built by Guangzhou Peugeot Automobile Company.

The Peugeot 504 was also produced in Argentina until 1999 by Sevel, in sedan and pickup forms. In 1991 the later models were slightly restyled at the front and rear, with the lamps and bumpers changing design.[6] These cars were also given a new interior. Argentinian 504s offered the 1,971 cc petrol four-cylinder, or the 2,304 cc diesel.[6]

The French company Dangel also produced Peugeot approved four-wheel drive Break (estate/station wagon) and pickup models.

The car was rear-wheel drive, with longitudinally mounted engines, canted over to bring a lower bonnet line to the styling. Manual orAutomatic transmission was offered. The suspension system consisted of MacPherson struts and coil springs at the front and with either semi-trailing arms with coil springs or coil springs and live axle at the rear. The station wagon and pickup versions were available with a live axle. The car used disc brakes at the front, and either disc brakes or drum brakes at the rear, depending on the model. The steering was a rack and pinion system. Huge suspension travel, and great strength, meant that the 504 was suited to rough road conditions, and the car proved extremely reliable in conditions found in Africa, Asia, Australia and the like.

There were two petrol engines available in Europe, a 1796 cc and 1971 cc. The latter was also available with Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection, first available on the earlier Peugeot 404. Gearboxes were either the BA7, four-speed manual or ZF three-speed automatic. Later pickup trucks in Europe gained a fifth gear. Export market vehicles had different variations available.

Starting 1980, a sporty version of the 504 was available, it had a 1997 cc engine rated at 128 hp (95 kW) and mated to the BA 7/4 gearbox. It had a live axle and adjustable suspension. Very few were produced.